Flickering flame effect electric light controller
First Claim
1. Light controller means operative to produce an irregular pattern of substantially binary power pulses for the purpose of at least producing a variegated flickering light effect from an electric lamp element wherein such flickering effect serves to simulate the flutter of a flame produced light, said controller principally including:
- a. an input means to said controller coupled to a source of alternating current electric power;
b. at least one output means from said controller effectively coupled to a controlled electric lamp element load means;
c. switch means coupled between said input means and said output means, said switch means being alternatively effective to substantially connect and disconnect at least integral half a.c. power cycle current flow in at least one direction between said input means and said output means; and
,d. a source of irregular pattern binary signal means operative to produce at least one sequential pattern of irregularly spaced first control pulses, said first control pulses being coupled to said switch means so as to serve to effectively provide at least integral half cycle control thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric light controller which serves to connect and disconnect an electric lamp element load from a power source in such rapid-fire pseudorandom seuentiality that the electric lamp appears to the eye as an illusion simulating the fluctuant brightness variations inherent in a flickering flame produced light. The result is an improved specious effect for decorative items such as electric lanterns used for outdoor lighting, simulated burning fireplace log arrangements, decorative chandeliers, holiday lighting equipment such as Christmas tree lights, and other such devices. Further enhancement of realism of the produced effect is provided for "open fire" decorative apparatus, such as electric fireplace log arrangements, through the optional inclusion of a popping acoustical sound translator, excited by a pseudorandom audio signal, which serves to simulate the crackling sound made by a burning material.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Light controller means operative to produce an irregular pattern of substantially binary power pulses for the purpose of at least producing a variegated flickering light effect from an electric lamp element wherein such flickering effect serves to simulate the flutter of a flame produced light, said controller principally including:
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a. an input means to said controller coupled to a source of alternating current electric power; b. at least one output means from said controller effectively coupled to a controlled electric lamp element load means; c. switch means coupled between said input means and said output means, said switch means being alternatively effective to substantially connect and disconnect at least integral half a.c. power cycle current flow in at least one direction between said input means and said output means; and
,d. a source of irregular pattern binary signal means operative to produce at least one sequential pattern of irregularly spaced first control pulses, said first control pulses being coupled to said switch means so as to serve to effectively provide at least integral half cycle control thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification